YEAR 10B/E SOCIAL SCIENCE

LESSON NOTES

ELECTIONS
VOTING

Lesson Objectives
6. Understand the Concept of Voting
7. identify the eligibility criteria for voting
8. describe the electoral process, including how constituencies and candidates are defined.
9. distinguish between different voting systems and explain how each system functions.
10. Examine and illustrate the stages involved in preparing for an election
11. Enact a hypothetical election using the information gathered
12. Compare and contrast the voting systems used in prior and present elections
13. Analyze the Role of Political Parties
14. Study the election processes and demonstrate its application to ensure civic pride

What is Voting?
- Voting is an election process of selecting who will speak for you in Parliament.
- When you cast a ballot (vote) you are choosing a candidate who you think will represent you
and your wishes.
- This person is often member of a political party.
- Every vote is important and it counts.
- Even if your candidate or political party does not win, when you cast a vote it shows your
national pride in carrying out your civic duty.

Election Bases
1. Any person above the age of 18 can choose who will represent them in Government through
voting.
2. The country is divided into constituencies (areas) where voters can vote for the candidate that
represents their political party in their constituency.
3. Sometimes candidates do not belong to a political party but are known as independent
candidates.
4. The election result will determine the government make-up and members of parliament (MPs)
who will represent your interest in the next 4 years.
5. Each political party have different ideas about how the country should be run. These ideas are
shared in a document called manifesto.
6. The political party that wins the most seats become the government side while the political party
with the 2nd most seats will form the opposition side.

Voting Systems

An election or voting system is a legal system through which voters make a choice between options in
an election or referendum.
The main type of electoral system includes:

1. Plurality/First-Past-the-Post
The candidate who polls the highest number of formal votes, – even if that number is not more than
50% plus one of the formal votes – is elected.
2. Proportional Representation (PR)
Proportional representation systems are used for elections in multi-member electorates to elect
candidates who receive a set proportion of the vote.

3. Preferential Voting
The term preferential refers to the voter being required to indicate an order of preference for candidates
on the ballot paper.

According to the 2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, Fiji uses the Proportional Representation
system of voting which was applied during the 2018 elections.

Voting Worksheet
Name: ________________________ Date: _______________
Part A: Fill in the Blanks
1. Voting is the process of selecting who will __________ for you in Parliament.
2. You must be at least __________ years old to vote in elections.
3. The __________ is a document that outlines the ideas of a political party about how
the country should be run.
4. In the Plurality voting system, the candidate with the __________ number of votes
wins, even if they do not achieve more than 50% of the votes.
5. Fiji's voting system, as per the 2013 Constitution, is based on __________
__________.

Part B: Multiple Choice

1. Who can vote in Fiji's elections?
a. Anyone over the age of 16
b. Only members of political parties
c. Anyone over the age of 18
d. Only registered independent candidates
2. What happens to a political party that wins the most seats in Parliament?
a. It becomes the opposition side
b. It disbands and forms a new party
c. It becomes the government side
d. It cannot participate in future elections
3. In which voting system does a voter rank candidates in order of preference?
a. Plurality/First-Past-the-Post
b. Proportional Representation
c. Preferential Voting
d. None of the above

Part C: Short Answer Questions

1. What is the importance of voting in a democratic society? Provide two reasons.
 2. Describe what happens in a Proportional Representation system.

3. Explain the difference between a candidate belonging to a political party and an

independent candidate.

Part D: Long Answer Questions

1. Why do you think every vote is important? Discuss how individual votes can impact
election outcomes.

2. Reflect on the role of political parties in shaping government policies. How do you
think different manifestos influence voter decisions?

DAY 2
S: 10.1 Social Organisation & Processes
Sub-S: SS 10.1.1
Government & Democracy
T: Election Personnel
Lesson Objectives
15. Understand the Role of Electoral Commission
16. Identify Key Election Personnel and Their Duties
17. Recognise the significance of election observers, scrutineers, and police officers in maintaining
the integrity of the electoral process in Fiji.
18. Describe the Voter Registration Process
19. Discuss the Impact of Election Personnel on Voter Confidence

ELECTION PERSONNEL
1. The Electoral Commission
 The Electoral Commission is an independent organisation responsible for conducting all
public elections in Fiji, public education on electoral matters, and voter registration
services.
 Ensures that elections are conducted in accordance with the law and best practices.

2. Supervisor of Elections
The Supervisor of Elections is the official chosen to control elections and voter registration.
The primary duties of the Supervisor and his staff are to:
 Conduct all public elections in Fiji.
 Register voters and issue voter information cards
 Maintain election equipment
 Hire and train poll workers
 Acquire and equip polling places

3. Presiding Officer (PO)

The Presiding Officer is responsible for the efficient operation of the Polling Station to which
he/she is assigned, ensuring that it functions in an orderly manner at all times. The duties are as
follows:
*Ensures that all signs and notices are in place.
*Determines when required, whether an elector is eligible to cast his or her vote.
*Ensures the queues are moving smoothly and orderly.
*Ensures that all persons waiting to vote do so before the poll is declared closed.

4. Polling Agents
 It is not possible for a candidate to be physically present at every polling station on the day of
poll in an assembly or a parliamentary constituency.
 Therefore, the law allows him to appoint polling agents to act as his representatives at every
polling station to watch his interests.
 The main duty of the polling agents is to see that the interests of the candidates who have
appointed them are safeguarded at the polling stations.

5. Election Observers
 Election Observation is one of the methods by which the transparency of an election can be
ensured.
 The presence of election observers builds voter confidence.
 Election observation also helps to discourage or expose violence or intimidation, as well as
cheating or manipulation of the vote or election results.

6. The Poll Clerk

The Poll Clerk must do the following:
 manage the Queue;
 interview the elector when he or she approaches the desk;
 request the elector to produce his or her National ID card;

7. The Ballot Clerk

During the Poll the Ballot Clerk must:
constantly monitor the ballot box
check the ballot paper for the official mark (six (6) digit stamp)
ensure that the elector’s finger is stained with ink and allow him or her to cast
their ballot.

8. The Information Clerk

* Information Clerks will be placed at Polling Places where there are several Polling
Stations.
* They will be working on Elections Day specifically to give information to electors
and to direct them to their appropriate polling station.
* The Information Clerk will maintain the orderly flow of registered electors within the
central polling place to which he or she is attached.
* Where there are two or more Polling Stations located in one compound, an Information
Clerk will be stationed there to:
check for the elector’s name on the list
direct the elector to the Polling Station in the compound where he or she has to
vote.
9. Scrutineers
 Scrutineers have the tasks of preventing the occurrence of corruption and of
detecting genuine mistakes.
 Process takes place most commonly alongside voting in an election;
  The scrutineer observes the counting of ballot papers, in order to ensure that election
rules are followed.

10. Returning Officer

 Votes are counted by or under the supervision / direction of the Returning Officer of the
Constituency.
 When the counting is completed, the Returning officer declares/ announces the result.

11. Police Officers

 Police help to prevent and detect electoral malpractice.
 They also increase voter confidence.
 The presence of police at Polling Stations will help the voters to feel secure.
 They also help the voters at the Polling Stations.
 They also help in controlling disputes/ stop threats (terrorist or any other form) that may arise at
the Polling Stations.

The Fiji Elections Office (FEO):

 The Fiji Elections Office (FEO) is very important for elections in Fiji.
 It makes sure that elections are fair, open, and run smoothly.
 Ensures that elections are conducted in accordance with the law and best practices.
 Voter Education: Engages in public education campaigns to inform citizens about the electoral
process, the importance of voting, and how to participate in elections.
 Voter Registration: Manages the process of voter registration to ensure every eligible citizen
can vote in elections, while keeping accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls.

Election Personnel Activity

Part A: Match the Following Roles with Their Responsibilities

1. Electoral Commission
2. Supervisor of Elections
3. Presiding Officer
4. Polling Agent
5. Election Observer
6. Poll Clerk
7. Returning Officer
8. Scrutineer
9. Police Officer
10. Ballot Clerk

Responsibilities
a. Conducts voter registration and oversees elections.
b. Checks and monitors ballot boxes during voting.
c. Controls the conduct of the polling station efficiently.
d. Appointed to represent a candidate at polling stations.
e. Observes the counting of votes to ensure rules are followed.
f. Manages the queue and assists voters during elections.
g. Ensures election transparency and builds voter confidence.
h. Declares the election results once counting is completed.
i. Prevents electoral malpractice and provides security at polling places.
j. Checks if electors are eligible and guides them through the voting process.

Part B: Fill in the Blanks

1. The ________ is an independent entity responsible for conducting all public elections in Fiji.
2. Polling Agents are appointed by candidates to ________ their interests at polling stations.
3. The ________ of Elections is responsible for registering voters and maintaining election
equipment.
4. Election Observers help build ________ among voters regarding the electoral process.
5. The ________ Clerk is responsible for ensuring that an elector’s finger is stained with ink.

Part C: Short Answer Questions

1. Describe the role of the Supervisor of Elections and list two of their primary duties.

2. Why are Election Observers important in the electoral process? Provide two reasons.

3. What measures do police officers take to ensure a safe voting environment?

Part D: Discussion Questions

1. Discuss how the presence of scrutineers can influence the fairness of an election.

2. In your opinion, which election personnel role is the most critical in maintaining the integrity of
an election? Justify your choice with reasons.

Part E: Poster
Create a Poster Campaign: Create an awareness poster about the importance of voter registration and
participation in elections.
Objective: 20: Discuss the steps in conducting an election
Election Process Worksheet

Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct answer for each question by circling the letter.
1. What is the age requirement to register as a voter in Fiji?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old

2. Which document can NOT be used as valid identification at the polling station?
A) Voter registration card
B) National ID card
C) Employee badge

3. What must a voter do if they want to vote before election day?

A) Nothing, they can only vote on election day
B) Apply for a postal vote or an early vote
C) Wait for the next election

4. What is one of the main roles of election observers?

A) To count the votes
B) To ensure the election is fair
C) To guide voters to their polling stations

5. How can citizens help promote fair elections in Fiji?

A) By ignoring the rules
B) By reporting any suspicious activities
C) By not voting

Part 2: Matching Questions

Match the terms in Column A with the correct descriptions in Column B by writing the letter next to
the number.
Column A
1. Voter Registration
2. Polling Station
3. Postal Vote
4. Election Day
5. Spoilt Ballot
Column B
A) The place where voters go to cast their votes
B) A vote that cannot be counted due to errors
C) The day the voting takes place in an election
D) The process of signing up to vote
E) Voting done by mail before election day
Answer Key:
Part 1: Multiple Choice Answers
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. B
Part 2: Matching Answers
1. D
2. A
3. E
4. C
5. B